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Politics & Government

Police Union Lawyer Criticizes Council on Pay Cuts

Beverly Hills Police Officers Association attorney Stephen Silver tells panel members at Thursday's meeting that the city's position in salary negotiations is "draconian."

The lawyer who represents the Beverly Hills Police Officers Association in its contract negotiations publicly criticized the City Council's drive to cut police salaries.

"The Police Officers Association is very concerned about the position that the city has been taking during these , which appear to be very draconian," attorney Stephen Silver said during the audience comments portion of Thursday's council meeting. "The city is pushing very hard for reductions in compensation that would exceed 10 percent for current officers and God knows how much for new hires."

Councilman John Mirisch, a member of the League of California Cities Employee Relations Committee, said the organization concluded that "we have an issue in the state and we need to try and achieve fair and sustainable pensions and benefits."

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Mayor Barry Brucker and the rest of the council refused to directly address Silver's comments.

"It would be inappropriate and irresponsible for this council to negotiate in public with any of our bargaining units," Brucker told Silver.

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Vice Mayor William Brien agreed with Brucker and added that he thought Silver's "tone and questioning … [were] insulting."

Silver told Patch that he didn't see anything offensive in his remarks.

"I just think [council members] didn't like the fact that I was there and that they were put on the spot," Silver said. "They don't want to take responsibility for this draconian position of reducing police officers' compensation by 10 percent."

BHPOA President Terry Nutall told Patch "there's been dialogue, however we're trying to reach a conclusion that benefits our members."

Still, Councilwoman Lili Bosse said during the meeting that "whatever the end result will be, there will not be any level of service at all that will be compromised."

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